‘Better’… Mikel Arteta told Kai Havertz does something that rival Arsenal star can’t

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Journalist Kaya Kaynak has now suggested that Kai Havertz is a better option to play up front for Arsenal than Eddie Nketiah. 

In the absence of Gabriel Jesus against Liverpool on Sunday, Kai Havertz was given the nod to lead the line for Arsenal ahead of Eddie Nketiah. 

Mikel Arteta clearly felt that the German’s extra physicality would give the Gunners the edge over the Reds. The Spanish coach was proven correct, as deploying Havertz as a false nine against Liverpool worked excellently, as he was able to drop deep and pull the opposition defenders out of position, creating space for the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli to exploit. 

Things have not always been easy for Havertz since his arrival at Arsenal in the recent summer transfer window. He has primary been used as a midfielder by Arteta, and Havertz came in for plenty of criticism early on in the campaign as he struggled to adapt to his new role for the north London club.

There was never any doubting his raw ability, though. Havertz has all the physical and technical attributes required to be a real star for Arsenal.

What Kai Havertz brings to the Arsenal attack

Kaya Kaynak was certainly impressed by what he saw from the player against Liverpool. Speaking on The Arsenal Beat podcast, the reporter said, “it was one of the most complete centre-forward displays I’ve seen at the Emirates in a really, really long time. It was Olivier Giroud-esque in the way he was winning duels against big central defenders…When Jesus is out…I think I’d have to say Havertz is your better option. For Eddie Nketiah that’s bad news. Eddie, I don’t think, would have been able to offer that level of hold-up play, that level of centre-forward play, that Havertz was offering.”

It certainly does not bode well for Nketiah’s future at the Emirates Stadium if he has now fallen behind Havertz in the pecking order of Arsenal strikers. The Hale End academy graduate will certainly struggle for game time from this point on if that is the case.

Havertz, of course, has room to improve as a striker, though. Whilst his hold-up play is impressive, his finishing still leaves plenty to be desired. Many of Arsenal’s attackers have struggled to be prolific this season. If the Gunners are to stand any chance of being crowned Premier League champions this season then they are going to have to be far more clinical in what remains of the campaign.